NLC to Workers: Shut Down the Economy with Strike if Ajaero is Detained

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliates and state councils to proceed with an indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight, August 21, if President Joe Ajaero, who was invited by the Nigeria Police Force in connection to an alleged terrorism investigation, is detained.

The union disclosed this in a statement issued after the emergency meeting convened to deliberate on recent developments surrounding the invitation of President Ajaero.

Recall that Neusroom earlier reported that Ajaero was invited by the police in a letter dated August 19, necessitating an emergency meeting by the Union.

In the meeting, the NLC resolved that:

1) Although it will honor the invitation extended to Ajaero, they demand an extension of time.

“As a responsible labor center committed to the rule of law and due process, the NLC shall honor the invitation extended to its President by the Nigeria Police but will demand an extension of time given the nature of the invitation,” the statement signed by Ado Sani Minjibir, the union’s Deputy President, reads in part.

2) The NLC also condemned what it called the “continued harassment of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and other labor leaders,” adding that the calculated attempts are aimed at weakening and destabilizing the labor movement.

3) The union also urged the state to “desist from its evil intentions and stop the ongoing witch-hunt against the leaders of the Congress forthwith.”

“The Congress will not sit idly by while the rights and freedoms of its members and leaders are trampled upon with impunity by the State.”

Preparation For Strike If Ajaero is Arrested

The union has also directed its affiliates across the country to begin the process of mobilizing their members, with the intention of embarking on a strike and protest if Ajaero or any other leader of the Union is detained.

“If anything happens to the President of the Congress or any other leader of the Congress in furtherance of these tendentious allegations by the State; NEC directs all its affiliates and state councils to proceed with an indefinite nationwide strike action by 12:00 Midnight today,” the statement said.

Urging Nigerians to rise in defense of shared democratic values, the union said it will not be intimidated into silence.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in its commitment to defending the rights and interests of workers and the Nigerian people. We shall not be cowed or intimidated by these desperate attempts to silence us. We stand firm in our resolve to uphold justice, fairness, and the rule of law in our beloved country.”